TO: HONOR ABLE MAYOR FROM: Councilmember Arjun Batra
AND CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Dev Davis
S
UBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: March 10, 2023
Approved Date March 10, 2023
SUBJECT: STATUS REPORT ON THE NOVEMBER 2018 BALLOT MEASURE T –
THE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND
RE
COMMENDATION
1) Accept and approve the staff memorandum for item 3.5 2) Direct City Staff to retain all current and future project savings in the Measure T fund until all currently approved projects are completed, moving any project savings between projects as required to complete the list of currently approved projects.
BACKGROUND
Councilmember Batra, former Chair of the Community Oversight Committee (COC) for the Measure T General Obligation Bond, has been deeply involved in reviewing expenditures and project progress since the inception. It is clear from the memo that Staff is doing everything they can to deliver projects as cost-effectively as possible, and the savings they have realized on various projects is the result of their efforts.
H
owever, we are in an inflationary cycle and some projects are costing more than planned. At this time, it is unclear if there will be enough funds to complete Fire Station 23 with funds from the Measure T bond. Staff assures us they will continue to make efforts to find savings where they can to maximize the utilization of the bond fund, however costs continue to rise, supply chain issues from the COVID-19 pandemic persist, and unforeseen problems occur, making the future of all remaining projects uncertain.
A
s stated in past COC reports, and supported by the previous Council, Measure T was promoted to the voters on the basis of these approved projects. Therefore, it is our recommendation that the Council direct Staff to retain all current and future project savings in the Measure T bond fund to protect against shortfalls on the currently approved projects.
The signer(s) of this memorandum have not had, and will not have, any private conversation with any other member of the City Council, or that member’s staff, concerning any action discussed in the memorandum, and that each signer’s staff members have not had, and have been instructed not to have, any such conversation with any other member of the City Council or that member's staff.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 03/14/23
FILE: 23-265
ITEM: 3.5